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HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-2025 Council MinutesRECORD OF PROCEEDINGS , Coun ; Minutes of Meeting GOVERNMENT FORMS & SUPPLIES 844-224-3338 FORM NO. 10148 Held F 5055 20 September 8, 2025 CALL TO ORDER Vice Mayor Alutto called the Monday, September 8, 2025 Regular Council Meeting of Dublin City Council to order at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Members present were Vice Mayor Alutto, Ms. De Rosa, Mr. Keeler, Ms. Kramb and Mr. Reiner. Mayor Amorose Groomes and Ms. Fox were absent. Staff members present were Ms. O’Callaghan, Mr. Hartmann, Chief Paez, Ms. Weisenauer, Ms. Rauch, Mr. Earman, Mr. Rubino, Mr. Barker, Mr. Hammersmith, Mr. Ament, Ms. Hunter and Ms. Blake. Others present were Julie Rinaldi and Jim Wilson, Dublin Food Pantry. ADJOURNMENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION Vice Mayor Alutto moved to adjourn to executive session for the purposes of discussing the following: e Conferences with an Attorney for the Public Body concerning Disputes involving the Public Body that are the subject of Pending or Imminent Court Action; and e Considering the purchase of property for public purposes Mr. Keeler seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Ms. De Rosa, yes; Ms. Kramb, yes; Mr. Keeler, yes; Vice Mayor Alutto, yes; Mr. Reiner, yes. The meeting reconvened at 7:00 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Vice Mayor Alutto invited Mr. Reiner to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. SPECIAL PRESENTATION e Dublin Food Pantry Update Ms. Rinaldi, Executive Director of the Dublin Food Pantry and Mr. Wilson, Operations Director, presented an update. Ms. Rinaldi introduced Chris Ogden, the Food Pantry’s Board Chair, and distributed volunteer shirts designed by Daniel Wright Elementary Fifth- graders. Mr. Wilson thanked Council and the City for the record Irish Festival results. The festival collected 20,000 pounds of food and over $16,000 in donations. He noted this was their best year, attributing success to good weather. The pantry distributed over 850,000 pounds of food last year, with food drives like the Irish Festival making this possible. He also acknowledged fresh produce deliveries from the Giving Garden, emphasizing the health impact of fresh produce. Ms. Rinaldi thanked the City for various partnerships including the Dublin Wellness Alliance navigator position and the Dublin Chamber Youth Program volunteers. She announced the Good Neighbor Day on September 28th with a personal care product drive with One Dublin. The pantry will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. They currently serve all eight zip codes in the Dublin City School District, with 43017 being the highest volume. Last year they served over 3,900 children. Ms. Rinaldi has been with the organization for one year and continues to be impressed by community support. She presented data showing increased impact in both 43016 and 43017 areas, noting they are conducting heat mapping of customer addresses to share with Council soon. New programming includes "food is medicine" initiatives partnering with Dublin Methodist Family Medicine Residency Clinic. They've conducted pop-up pantries at schools and are Minutes of RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Dublin City Council Mesting ‘GOVERNMENT FORMS & SUPPLIES 844-224-3308 FORM NO. 10148 Held September 82025 Page 2 of. providing healthy snacks for student athletes at Dublin Scioto, Sells, and Davis middle schools. Current challenges include state budget cuts affecting the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, resulting in shop-through pauses in July and August. They anticipate federal SNAP and Medicaid cuts will impact customers. The organization is action planning through legacy giving society creation, establishing an endowment at the Columbus Foundation, increased grant writing, and enhanced donor outreach. Mr. Reiner asked about the $16,000 cash collection source. Mr. Wilson explained it came from church services on Sunday, the 5K run, gate donations, and Thursday's beer tent. Ms. De Rosa inquired about transportation accessibility. Mr. Wilson noted customers can designate proxies to shop for them, and the nearby bus line helps, though the pantry does not currently have a delivery system. Ms. Kramb mentioned the planned bus shelter installation at that location and suggested tracking usage. Ms. Rinaldi said they could try adding this as an intake question. Mr. Keeler commended their ability to increase service by 225-250% despite headwinds. Ms. Rinaldi credited Dublin's generous community. CITIZEN COMMENTS There were no citizen comments. CONSENT AGENDA e Minutes of the August 25, 2025 Regular Council Meeting e Minutes of the September 2, 2025 Joint Work Session There was no request to remove an item from the Consent Agenda. Vice Mayor moved to approve the Consent Agenda. Mr. Keeler seconded the motion. Vote on the motion: Mr. Keeler, yes; Ms. Kramb, yes; Vice Mayor Alutto, yes; Mr. Reiner, yes; Ms. De Rosa, yes. INTRODUCTION/FIRST READING — ORDINANCES Ordinance 41-25 Amending the Annual Appropriations for Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2025 (Q3) Ms. De Rosa introduced the Ordinance. Mr. Rubino presented the ordinance amending the fiscal year 2025 budget with six requested items - three related to public safety and three supporting capital projects. The appropriations included: $30,000 from the law enforcement trust fund for youth behavioral health resources per the City's health needs assessment; $65,687 from the wireless 911 fund for NRECC dispatch center equipment maintenance; $40,000 from the safety fund for hiring above authorized levels in police and NRECC to allow for training transitions; $970,000 in capital funds for HVAC replacement and camera/technology equipment at SportsOhio; $120,000 from general fund for West Bridge Street Corridor study; and $4,800,000 combined with $8,000,000 general fund contribution to pay off the Series 2024 note for the SportsOhio acquisition. Mr. Keeler questioned the SportsOhio HVAC expense, asking if it included previously purchased but uninstalled units. Ms. O'Callaghan confirmed those units were installed but professional evaluation determined additional units were needed. Mr. Keeler expressed concern about spending on facilities that might change during master planning but acknowledged it as necessary. OF P Cc RECORD 05 SAQCEERINGS Minutes of Meeting GOVERNMENT FORMS & SUPPLIES 644-224-0000 FORM NO, 10148 Held September 8, 2025 Page 3 Gf07 Ms. Kramb requested more details on the Bridge Street Corridor Study reasoning and scope, questioning why a new consultant was needed rather than using the same one from the East Bridge Street District study to avoid duplication. Ms. O’Callaghan agreed to provide follow-up information. Ms. De Rosa had similar questions about coordination with the 2017 study and requested timeline details. She also asked about the SportsOhio security equipment. Ms. O'Callaghan explained only two cameras currently exist compared to 60-70 at the DCRC (Dublin Community Recreation Center), necessitating additional cameras to meet City security standards. There were no public comments. Second reading/public hearing is scheduled for September 22, 2025. INTRODUCTION/PUBLIC HEARING/VOTE - RESOLUTIONS Resolution 45-25 Accepting the Lowest and Best Bid for the Waterways Maintenance Program 2025 Project (24-016-CIP) Ms. De Rosa introduced the Resolution. Mr. Hendershot presented the resolution to accept the lowest and best bid for the Waterways Maintenance Program 2025 project. The program maintains waterways, channels, and streams on City property or easements to preserve stability, improve flood capacity, address erosion, and protect infrastructure. The project includes bank stabilization at eight stream sites: e Site 3: Located along Tamarisk Creek, north of Tonti Drive, east of Red Bay Court e Site 18: Located along South Fork Indian Run, within Darree Fields e Site 22: Located along South Fork Indian Run, north of Post Road, east of Avery- Muirfield Drive e Site 24: Located along Bait Shop Creek, south of Tonti Drive e Site 25, 27, and 28: Located along Tonti Creek, south of Wyandotte Woods Boulevard, west of Lanham Court e Site 44: Located along North Fork Indian Run, north of Brand Road, west of Shannon Glen Boulevard Council previously approved Ordinances for temporary easements from four properties needed for this project. Three bids were received August 6, 2025, with Brennstuhl Construction, Inc. submitting the lowest at $1,060,205.94 against the Engineer's Estimate of $1,220,000. Project completion is expected by May 1, 2026. Ms. Kramb asked about working conditions and permits. Mr. Hendershot explained timing is based on tree removal requirements (October 1 - March 31) through ODNR, with Army Corps waivers for in-stream work allowing work in mild December weather. Ms. Kramb requested notification for the five sites in her ward to inform neighbors when work would begin. Ms. De Rosa asked about program progress. Mr. Hendershot confirmed this is year two, with most critical areas from 2018-2019 inspections addressed. Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District recently completed re-inspections of over 50 miles of waterways. EMH&T will use these to refresh and reprioritize the program for year three. There were no public comments. Vote on the Resolution: Mr. Reiner, yes; Ms. De Rosa, yes; Mr. Keeler, yes; Vice Mayor Alutto, yes; Ms. Kramb, yes. RECORD OF FROCEEDINGS Dublin City Council Minutes of Meeting GOVERNMENT FORMS & SUPPLIES 844-224-3008 FORM NO, 10146 Held September 8, 2025 Page 4 ofv7. Resolution 46-25 Accepting the Lowest and Best Bid for the Earlington Park Drainage Basin Improvements Project (24-023-CIP) Vice Mayor Alutto introduced the Resolution. Mr. Hendershot presented the resolution to accept the lowest and best bid for the Earlington Park Drainage Basin Improvements Project. The Brand Road pedestrian tunnel has experienced repeated flooding, including during a Labor Day 2022 storm event. EMH&T's 2023 investigation led to this project to improve public health and safety. The project will adjust flood routing away from the pedestrian tunnel, raise the north embankment, regrade the basin perimeter to increase storage capacity for 100-year storms, increase the outlet pipe from 24 to 36 inches, and create a berm north of Brand Road to reduce flooding from North Fork Indian Run. The City received $468,000 in grant funding from Ohio's one-time strategic community investment fund, received in October 2024. Five bids were received August 6, 2025. Mr. Excavator submitted the lowest bid at $594,911.50, which was slightly less than the Engineer's Estimate of $595,000. The budget is $570,000, with additional costs covered by unencumbered CIP funds due to added work on Brand Road's north side. Completion is expected by May 1, 2026. Mr. Reiner expressed concern about Mr. Excavator being $200,000 below other bidders despite never working for Dublin before. Mr. Hendershot assured they extensively vetted references with favorable results. Ms. Kramb noted the bid matched the Engineer's Estimate, and she confirmed that the Engineer's Estimate is listed in bid documents. Ms. De Rosa asked about walking path reconstruction. Mr. Hendershot confirmed an allowance exists for redoing the shared-use path around the basin, including addressing flooding and tree root problems on the paths. There were no public comments. Vote on the Resolution: Ms. Kramb, yes; Mr. Keeler, yes; Ms. De Rosa, yes; Vice Mayor Alutto, yes; Mr. Reiner, yes. OTHER BUSINESS e Council Rules of Order Amendments — Administrative Committee Recommendation Ms. Delgado reported that the Administrative Committee completed its annual review of the Council Rules of Order. A red-lined copy of proposed amendments was included in packet materials. A Resolution adopting the amendments will come forward September 22nd. There were no public comments. e America 250 in Dublin Update Ms. LeRoy presented on America's Sesquicentennial celebration. Dublin became an official 250 Ohio community in 2024 with a shared webpage for all partners meeting bimonthly since late last year. Partners include schools integrating content into American and Dublin history curriculum, Visit Dublin for promotion, the library with Dublin-specific programs, and the Memorial Tournament celebrating their 50th anniversary. The Watch House and Circle Mound was named to Ohio's Creativity Trail, recognizing quality art by Ohio artists among nearly 1,000 applicants. Signature activities include: Ohio Homecoming and Picnic sponsored by Cenovus, expanding the Memorial Day community picnic to Route 161; the play "1776" in Coffman Park amphitheater throughout May; Ohio Goes to the Movies summer series featuring films with Ohio connections; Independence Day parade themed "Dublin Throughout History"; and a one-time drone show possibly combined with fireworks. Minutes of RERORE OE newer Mesting GOVERNMENT FORMS & SUPPLIES 844-224-3338 FORM NO. 10148 Held September 8, 2025 Page 5 ofv7. Programming extends throughout divisions with the DCRC leading through history trivia, walking contests across states, and park programs at Ferris Wright. The Irish Festival featured "Irish in the Revolutionary War" continuing annually. Additional plans include: updating the 20-year-old Dublin history book with a supplement, Nancy Richardson writing historical tidbits for Dublin Life and social media, special Dublin Link lighting like April 18, 2025's Paul Revere's ride anniversary, and incorporating history into the State of the City address. Council expressed support. Mr. Keeler emphasized leveraging sponsorships, particularly for the drone show, noting limited grant availability. Ms. Kramb questioned combining drones with fireworks, suggesting May with FORE!Fest and Memorial Tournament sponsorship instead, and recommended the use of community volunteers rather than paying for the history book update. Mr. Reiner suggested utilizing City facilities and theater for free historical movies like "Road to Liberty" and encouraging Dublin Arts Council exhibits on American constitutional themes. Ms. De Rosa supported giving staff liberty to remove items from the extensive list and suggested considering interactive digital formats rather than traditional books for future engagement, and noted sponsorship opportunities for such content. Vice Mayor Alutto strongly supported celebrating "the oldest codified single document/constitution in the world, which speaks to tenacity, creativity, and freedom of this country." There were no public comments. Request to Refer the Topic of a Food Truck Policy to the Public Services Committee Ms. Blake presented the referral request stemming from the Community Events Roadmap and Downtown Dublin Curbside Management Plan recommendations. The topic has been ongoing since 2012 with concerns about late-night disturbances, proximity to restaurants, congestion, noise, odor, and waste. Food trucks currently operate through City permits, City-sponsored events, designated on-street parking in the historic district, and on private property. Current zoning includes limited regulations. Staff benchmarked other municipalities and seeks Public Services Committee feedback on permitted locations, distance requirements, fees, penalties, and potential piloting. Mr. Keeler questioned whether Community Service Advisory Committee (CSAC) would be a more appropriate body for this discussion instead of Public Services Committee. Ms. Kramb, as Public Services Chair, noted her committee specifically requested the next two items and had already discussed food truck policy during park permitting discussions. Vice Mayor Alutto added potential code revisions fit better with Public Services Committee than CSAC. Mr. Reiner emphasized the need for expedited approval processes given food trucks' tight schedules. Vice Mayor Alutto moved to refer the topic of a Food Truck Policy to the Public Services Committee. Mr. Keeler seconded. Vote on the motion: Vice Mayor Alutto, yes; Ms. Kramb, yes; Mr. Reiner, yes; Ms. De Rosa, yes; Mr. Keeler, yes. RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS Dublin City Council Minutes of Meeting OVERNMENT FORMS & SUPPLIES 644-224-3008 FORM NO. 10748 Held September 8, 2025 Page 6 of(7. STAFF COMMENTS Ms. O'Callaghan reported on concerns about privately owned scooters, electric bicycles, mini motorcycles, and motorized recreational vehicles on sidewalks, paths, and roadways. She noted significant increases in youth usage. A cross-functional team including police, legal, transportation, and communications is reviewing current Code and drafting amendments. The topic was raised at Friday's COMMA (Central Ohio Mayors and Managers Association) meeting and will be included on October's agenda. Staff recommended referring the topic of micromobility regulations and guidelines to the Public Services Committee. Vice Mayor Alutto moved to refer the topic of micromobility regulations and guidelines to the Public Services Committee. Mr. Keeler seconded. Vote on the motion: Mr. Reiner, yes; Ms. Kramb, yes; Vice Mayor Alutto, yes; Mr. Keeler, yes; Ms. De Rosa, yes. Ms. O'Callaghan reported that staff has been reviewing the regulations governing the Cemetery and the rules in the Dublin Cemeteries Guidebook. The City has broad legal authority to regulate public burial ground conditions and cemetery protection. The Dublin Cemeteries Guidebook governs operation, management, and protection. She recommended referring cemetery regulations and guidelines to Public Services Committee. Vice Mayor Alutto moved to refer the cemetery regulations and guidelines to the Public Services Committee. Mr. Keeler seconded. Vote on the motion: Mr. Keeler, yes; Mr. Reiner, yes; Ms. Kramb, yes; Ms. De Rosa, yes; Vice Mayor Alutto, yes. Finally, Ms. O’Callaghan provided a Christmas Market update. In furtherance of Council’s direction at the July meeting, discussions continue with Christkindlmarkt Consulting LLC (formerly Marketplace Consulting). The operator changed substantial RFP terms including financial model, branding, vendor selection, reporting, and agreement terms, adding complexity and lengthening negotiations. Staff supports event permitting, fire/building code review, and logo design for website and marketing. The operator requested naming the event "Christkindlmarkt Dublin, Ohio." Staff supports this name based on benchmarking showing typical usage of Christkindlmarkt with city names. A final agreement is expected in coming months, at which time another update will be provided to Council. Council consensus was support for the name as proposed. COUNCIL ROUNDTABLE Ms. De Rosa thanked boards and commission members for the annual joint meeting with action items being compiled by staff. She announced the Administrative Committee meets Monday and one of the agenda items is Council retreat agenda planning. She requested agenda item recommendations from Council members. She shared that she visited the new DCRC community rooms with a tour led by Jennifer Vosters. Ms. De Rosa described the new space as bright, relaxed, and comfortable with cool furniture and recycling bins. Ms. O'Callaghan stated that a grand opening is planned when remaining work is completed in a couple weeks. Minutes of RECORD OF bine oe INGS Dublin ouncil Meeting GOVERNMENT FORMS & SUPPLIES 844-224-3338 FORM NO. 10148 Held September 8, 2025 Page 7 afv7. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m. Comb Vice Mayor — Presiding Officer Cletk of Coyfcil